more birds...

[AlexN]

Well at this point... its 'a bird' but there are more coming.. Went out walk abouts today. caught this egret landing.. I have 2 more of it whilst it was flying at low altitude over the lake, they require further processing so they are coming later...

Theres a nice big sea eagle floating around my area the past few weeks. Never close enough for me to catch a worth while photo... So I've been wandering down towards where it circles in hopes of catching a closer look...

Alas.. Not today.

[Dennis]

Hi Alex

Good shot of a very difficult subject – white bird against a dark background!

I had a quick play in CS3; I did a Shadow/Highlight, some Burning/Dodging and a Smart Sharpen which overall, I think revealed more of the subtle tones in the Egret’s white wings. Here’s the “after and before” photo.

What lens did you use for the shots?

Cheers

Dennis

[ving]

well processed denis :)
and nice pic alex :)

[AlexN]

Dennis: Thanks for the re-process... Its almost amazing what you've managed to pull out of it.... I need to learn more about Photoshop it seems.

The shot was taken with the trusty 70-200 f/4L... mind you that was a 100% crop taken from the photo... it was quite a long way away.

David - Cheers, I think the photo is 100% now that the photoshop master had a stab at it!

[AlexN]

heres number 2, which in the series of 3 shots is actually shot number 1. :D Im going all george lucas with my release times.. :D

i had a play with dodge/burn shadows/highlights and smart sharpen... I still need to learn more about whats going on when i use those functions, but I can see the effect they have...

[Dennis]

Hi Alex

No worries. I’m still at the beginning of the learning curve with CS3! I now need to sit down and consolidate my knowledge so I can apply it consistently and in a targeted manner; at the moment I tend to rush in and tweak things which is fun, but sometimes you don’t quite remember how you got to the result!:whistle:

For me, the 2 big lessons I’ve learned, from moving to a functionally rich DSLR such as the Canon 40D and the amazing powerful CS3 are:

DSLR Camera.
Always take the best shot you can. Try to get the best data in the camera and don’t rely on post capture processing.

CS3.
The image you seen on your screen is just the tip of the iceberg. If you have managed to achieve objective 1 above, then you can literally “develop” the image in CS3 to display the tonal range “hidden” in the data.

Cheers

Dennis

[AlexN]

I've just sort of "Jumped Ship" from the Nikon camp to the Canon camp... and already feel rather limited by the 350D compared to my D80, however the AF system/lens selection on canons cant be beat... I think im gonna have to have a grand nikon ebay sale and splurge on a 40D or a 5D if funds permit.

[RB]

Hey can I play too?

Had a really quick go on your 1st one Alex.
There's a fair amount of detail hidden in there.
In a bit of a hurry so may have over-done it a little.

I've actually got to attend to something atm but I'll be back later on.

Nice shots mate.

[AlexN]

Cheers Rocket Boy! :) I think thanks Dennis and yourself I could safely say that the raw image must be concealing a hell of a lot of data... :)

Im off to play photoshop again! :D

[AlexN]

having another go at that shot, same sort of rush together as usual.. however I think i get the idea.... Oh, I changed the crop a bit too... just to mix it up a bit.. :)

I have never used dodge/burn tools before, nor have I ever really applied any post processing sharpening masks to photos... Im starting to think they should all be incorporated into my standard work flow.

[Matty P]

Nice shots Alex, I particularly like the second one you have posted. How the brid is flying/gliding above the water with its wings shaped like an arc. Very cool.

Well done. :thumbsup:

[Dennis]

Good stuff Alex. This was the 1st time I've used Dodge/Burn too, as I had to process your photo quick time. I'm seriously looking at Layers and Adjustment Layers in particular, as they are more powerful and don't modify the underlying data like Dodge/Burn.

Cheers

Dennis

[AlexN]

Yeah... I've played with some masks today.. but I think i need to buy a book on photoshop to explain the correct method to apply certain masks and adjustment layers half the time I do more harm than good...

(doesnt help that im color blind.)

[jjjnettie]

Splendid work.
We've got to have a bit of a field trip together on the last Friday of Astrofest.
Take a walk down to the river and see what we can see.

[AlexN]

Thanks Jjj, I was actually considering photography during the days (or, as much of them as Im awake for...) - astronomy during the nights for Astrofest... :)

Im definitely up for the walk down to the river :)

Dennis, Your more than welcome to join us :) have a little birding expedition :)

[AlexN]

With luck.. I'll have a new toy to play with... mwa ha ha ha haaaa...


Oh... Just found these two from today too...
1 - This guy just popped up to say hello.... Theres heaps and heaps of them in the lake where most of my recent photos were taken.. however they are VERY camera shy... you point the lens at them, all you usually capture is ripples...

2 - Lift off! :) Pretty happy with that. Focus missed by a hair...

Alex.

[jjjnettie]

My take on your duck.
I opened it in Paint Shop Pro, applies curves then put it through Neat Image to reduce noise and sharpen just a little.:)

[Matty P]

Well done again Alex. Nice shots. :thumbsup: :)

[ving]

who'd have thunk it would turn out to be a processing tutorial :P

like that turtle. :)

my theory/motto/whatever in photography is to get it right the first go. while raw images hold alot of data that can be drawn out, over altering an image can have dire effects, especially when veiwed full size (10mp or whtever rather than reduced for web) which will effect the way it is printed. if you get the exposure and focus right at the time you shoot you can really make something special out of it with a minimum of PPing, or still have a great print straight from the camera :)

of course astrophotography is all about extracting data from images :)

[RB]

I agree David, nothing beats getting it right first go.
But you'll find there's still a need for some PP even if it's to sharpen the original.
Even in film days, most if not all photographers who developed/printed their own negs, did some level of 'PP'.

I agree though that there is a fine line between 'bringing out detail' and 'overdoing the PP'.

For me, reading other people's techniques on photog forums is very helpful and they can be applied to astro work too so it's in everyone's favour to ask and learn.

:)

[ving]

in deed :)

[AlexN]

Yeah.. I must say though, Shooting with a canon its much harder to require no processing than my Nikon's.

Some how the nikon cameras just 'get it right' when it comes to using preset modes like aperture or shutter priority... Funnily enough, even on Program mode where the camera controls aperture/shutter/Exp. Comp, the nikon rarely takes a bad photo... With the Canon's I find it requires a lot more user input to take a stunning shot that requires little to no processing.

[RB]

...and Nikon has a new 'killer' model which was announced recently, the D700 with full frame sensor to compliment the excellent D300.
From what I hear and see, both leave Canon lagging behind.
Canon has had it too good in the last few years but now they face stiff opposition from Nikon, which is a good thing.
It will be interesting to see if they can fight back with better models.

One thing to keep in mind though is that camera bodies will come and go, but I believe a good quality lens system is what counts most.
A good selection of high quality lenses will last you a lifetime.

(sorry going off topic a bit :D ).

[AlexN]

I had my hands on a D300 for a day a few weeks back... Was perhaps the best DSLR I've used... But as you say... lenses are where it counts, and while the top of the range nikkors are brilliantly crafted pieces of gear, they just dont have that "L" feel to them..